Aston Villa: Five memorable matches

Aston Villa: Five memorable matches

We look back at five memorable wins for Leeds, against Aston Villa.

Saturday 22nd August, 1964- Aston Villa 1-2 Leeds United

Under the great Don Revie, Leeds returned to the top-flight for the first time since 1960, with an away trip to Villa Park. Villa captain and Wales international Phil Woosnam gave the home side an early lead inside four minutes, but Leeds hit back 10 minutes later when Don Weston’s shot was saved by Geoff Sidebottom and fell into the path of Albert Johanneson, who was on hand to slot home from 10 yards. Leeds got what proved to be the winning goal in the 60th minute, when Jim Storrie’s cross was met by Jack Charlton, with his fine header giving Sidebottom no chance.  It was a happy return to the top-flight for Revie’s side, who only missed out on the title at the end of the 1964/65 campaign on goal difference.

 

Sunday 24 November, 1991- Aston Villa 1-4 Leeds United

Leeds comfortably overcame Aston Villa in the club's title winning 1991/92 campaign. Rod Wallace got Leeds going as he bundled in the opening goaland  Mel Sterland doubled the lead when he flung himself at a Gordon Strachan corner to head home.  Captain Strachan was again instrumental in the third goal as he laid it on a plate for Lee Chapman to poke it home from close range. With Leeds looking to be cruising to victory, Villa pulled one back against the run of play through Dalian Atkinson, but it proved just to be a consolation and Chapman grabbed his second of the afternoon to seal the win.

 

Saturday 3rd December, 2016- Leeds United 2-0 Aston Villa 

The Whites last tasted victory over Villa at Elland Road with Christmas approaching, in the Championship season of 2016/17. Leeds were looking to move into a play-off place prior to the match, whereas Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa side were in the bottom half of the table, a shock to many who had tipped them to be promotion contenders throughout. In the second half, Souleymane Doukara’s excellent cross allowed Kemar Roofe to rise highest and head the ball into the net, to put Leeds ahead. Chris Wood sealed the three points in stoppage time, when he followed in and finished off Hadi Sacko’s run and shot. Square it, Hadi.

 

Sunday 23th December, 2018- Aston Villa 2 Leeds United 3

Another memorable meeting at Villa Park, as Marcelo Bielsa's side travelled to the Midlands days before Christmas. Aston Villa flew out the traps when Tammy Abraham opened the scoring after just five minutes, before Conor Hourihane doubled the lead 12 minutes later with a curling effort from just outside the box. Leeds trailed 2-0 at half time which led to Jack Clarke being introduced and he made an immediate impact, scoring his first professional goal with a fine solo effort. Pontus Jansson got Leeds level with a towering header from a corner. With both teams pushing for a late winner, Leeds broke forward and with virtually the last kick of the game - five minutes into stoppage time - Kemar Roofe perfectly smashed a left-footed strike into the back of the net, sparking a frenzy in the away end.

 

Friday 23rd October, 2020- Aston Villa 0-3 Leeds United

An early season Premier League clash between two clubs that had made positive starts. Villa were in fine form and had won four from four, meaning victory would have seen Dean Smith’s side go to the top of the table. However, Patrick Bamford was not in the mood to let that happen and the striker went on a stunning second half scoring blitz to get the Whites all three points. After being level at the break Bamford got his first 10 minutes in to the second half, with a poachers finish at close range. His next strike was far from close range, as he picked the ball up 25-yards out and unleashed a screamer into the top corner. His third was then a show of technical quality, controlling the ball in the area before creating space to once again curl beautifully into the corner of the net. The result was nothing more than Leeds and Bamford had deserved, and in truth, the Whites had opportunities to add further to the scoreline throughout in an impressive display which moved them into third place.

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